5G Technology World

  • 5G Technology and Engineering
  • FAQs
  • Apps
  • Devices
  • IoT
  • RF
  • Radar
  • Wireless Design
  • Learn
    • 5G Videos
    • Ebooks
    • EE Training Days
    • FAQs
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars/Digital Events
  • Handbooks
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
  • Resources
    • Design Guide Library
    • EE World Digital Issues
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • Engineering Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

T-Mobile Outlines LTE Strategy, Loses 802K Subs in Q4

By Andrew Berg | February 23, 2012

It appears T-Mobile USA will take the $4 billion in spectrum and cash it received from AT&T as a result of the failed merger and stick it right back into its own network.

T-Mobile CEO Philipp Humm today outlined the company’s strategy in a call with press, announcing a $4 billion network modernization and 4G evolution effort, which the company hopes will improve existing voice and data coverage and pave the way for LTE service in 2013.

Humm said the plan, which covers the next two years, is about prioritizing and investing in initiatives designed to get the company “back to growth in the years ahead.” 

Additional investment areas, which the company calls “core to the company’s challenger strategy” include the B2B segment and expanding its sales force; ramping up advertising spending; and attracting new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) partners with an efficient platform for getting to market.

But things at T-Mobile were not all optimism and better days ahead. The company on Thursday also reported its fourth-quarter earnings, saying it had lost a net 526,000 subscribers, which included a whopping 802,000 contract-based defectors.

The coming year will be a “rebuilding year” for T-Mobile. The company plans to spend $200 million in advertising to relaunch the brand around 4G services. Humm said revenues, which dropped 3.3 percent to $20.6 billion, were affected by the overhang of the merger with AT&T, which hindered such things as T-Mobile’s ability to sign on new MVNO partners.

The company also attributed the exceptional customer losses to the fact that all three of T-Mobile’s main competitors – AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint – now carry Apple’s iPhone.

T-Mobile Chief Technology Officer Neville Ray detailed the company’s network strategy, which includes installing new equipment at 37,000 cell sites and refarming spectrum to launch LTE in 2013. Ray said the key catalyst of refarming is the additional spectrum T-Mobile will receive as a result of the termination of the AT&T transaction. Also, other enablers are faster adoption of 3G and 4G services and improved device performance.

The carrier expects to extend LTE service to its top 50 markets and 20 MHz service in 75 percent of its top 25 markets.

Fully 90 percent of T-Mobile device sales in the fourth quarter were 3G and 4G smartphones, which enables T-Mobile to reduce the amount of 1900 MHz PCS spectrum being used for GSM; deploy HSPA+ 4G services in the PCS band; and make room in the AWS band for LTE. In addition to creating capacity for LTE in AWS spectrum, deploying HSPA+ in the PCS band will harmonize T-Mobile’s spectrum bands with the U.S. market and international carriers.

Ray said the network modernization would improve signal strength by 16 percent while also harmonizing the company’s existing spectrum with other networks. The harmonization factor would allow more international data roamers to use T-Mobile’s network when visiting the United States, while also increasing device compatibility. Ray said that would mean the iPhone would then be compatible with T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network.

When asked whether T-Mobile was looking to spin off from its parent company Deutsche Telekom and offer an IPO, Humm said the company is always looking at options but couldn’t comment further.


Filed Under: Carriers

 

Next Article

← Previous Article
Next Article →

Related Articles Read More >

eSIM
eSIM eases changing carriers for phones and IoT
QoE and QoS comparison
Benchmarking in 5G: More important than ever
iPhone 12
I bought a 5G phone, now what?
6G
Key takeaways from 6G Symposium

Featured Contributions

  • Overcome Open RAN test and certification challenges
  • Wireless engineers need AI to build networks
  • Why AI chips need PCIe 7.0 IP interconnects
  • circuit board timing How timing and synchronization improve 5G spectrum efficiency
  • Wi-Fi 7 and 5G for FWA need testing
More Featured Contributions

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: Internet of Things
Explore practical strategies for minimizing attack surfaces, managing memory efficiently, and securing firmware. Download now to ensure your IoT implementations remain secure, efficient, and future-ready.

EE LEARNING CENTER

EE Learning Center
“5g
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

Engineering Training Days

engineering
“bills
5G Technology World
  • Enews Signup
  • EE World Online
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Analogic Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • Engineer’s Garage
  • EV Engineering
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy

Search 5G Technology World